i88i.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 261 



clean weedless walks, — are some of the items which go far to make a 

 garden enjoyable ; but reverse this, and gardening loses its best charms. 

 We would therefore urge amateurs and others to be contented with 

 small space well done, than larger breadths in shabby condition. In 

 gardens of a larger class disorder is too common, and those to blame 

 in most cases are the proprietors themselves. Annuals for late bloom 

 may now be sown, and all plants of a hardy character prepared for 

 autumn flowering should now be out and growing. This applies to 

 Stocks, Asters, Marigolds, Dahlias, &c. Stake the latter early and 

 securely, also Hollyhocks and other tall plants. Herbaceous plants 

 may require much labour in the way of staking, trimming off dead or 

 dying flowers, hoeing and breaking the surface. Those newly planted 

 may require water, and give it liberally when it is done. Gladiolus 

 forwarded in pots may now be planted. All should have the appear- 

 ance of finish in the various beds and borders — whether they be shrubs, 

 Roses, or bedding plants. Cut out all dead branches from shrubs which 

 have remained after the winter's frost : give a soaking of water to 

 those newly planted. Mulching may be of much service to such,— ^also 

 to Roses ; they should have a good soaking of manure-water as they 

 come into flower. Take off suckers ; look out for grubs curled in the 

 leaf, which eat the flowers. Sow Mignonette in patches where Roses 

 may have died off, and plants are not at hand to fill the space. Place 

 all shade-loving plants behind hedges, walls, or fences : place the 

 pots on ashes. This applies to such as Polyanthus, Carnations, and 

 Auriculas. 



PLANT- STEUCTUEES. 



As plants come into bloom outside, and gardens become gay, all 

 plants inside should be of a showy or interesting character, not merely 

 for a glare of flowers, but handsome and graceful in form, striking 

 foliage, and well grown in every respect. Crowding is very objection- 

 able. Ferns of sorts. Palms hardy enough for greenhouse, Ficus elas- 

 tica, Cordylines, Dracsenas, variegated Yuccas, (fee, mixed with Coleus, 

 Fuchsias, Abutilons, Aralias, Oranges in fruit, and suchlike ; then 

 to enliven the whole, a few well-grown Azaleas (some flower as late 

 as July), Acacias, Summer Heaths, Liliums, Pelargoniums, Tropseo- 

 lums, Pimeleas, Lapagerias, Genetyllis, Fuchsias, Begonias, Kalosan- 

 thes, Hydrangeas, and others. But to fill the space and make a " blaze," 

 one may cheaply pot on the choicest and most suitable plants left from 

 the bedding stock. There is no difficulty in filling a structure, espe- 

 cially what amateurs generally can command. Balsams, Cockscombs, 

 Globe Amaranthus, coming forward for flowering, should have plenty 

 of room, light, and air : prepare them by air and light before they are 

 moved to windows, vestibules, (fee. Insects must be fought against at 

 all points. Quassia-water syringed over plants once or twice weekly 

 as a preventive, may keep the enemies ofi*. As plants get past bloom 



